Spare parts dealers have expressed displeasure at the ban on galamsey imposed by government. According to them, the activities of galamsey operators gave them business but the ban placed on it by government has dealt them a big blow as business was not as booming as it was in the past.
They complained that many of their colleagues have had to quit business and go into farming and other activities as their main clients who were the galamseyers no longer troop to their shops to purchase spare parts.
Many spare parts dealers in Abossey Okai, Accra, who spoke to Today in an interview revealed that aside from the spare parts business they were into, they also double in selling cars. They recollected how in times past, ahead of festivities like Christmas, galamseyers purchased cars and changed parts of their cars to make them look new but that was not witnessed last year Christmas.
“The galamseyers were helpful. They used huge cars like pick-ups and other private cars which we serviced when they breakdown. …They weren’t afraid to spend because they dealt in gold and it was lucrative. Now they rarely come here. I sell cars too and previously ahead of Christmas, they buy for their girlfriends, children, wives but now all of that is gone.”
Against this backdrop, the spare parts dealers asked government to regularise the activities of galamsey, stressing that the ban was adversely affecting the economy of Kumasi. “Just as the President has begun, he should continue however, I want him to regularise their activities so that there are laws to govern them. They should allow both foreigners and locals to engage in galamsey. “… As the government brought Free SHS, we will acquire knowledge and contribute our quota to the country’s development,” they stressed.
Story: Freeman Awlesu Koryekpor
Writer’s email freeman.koryekpor@todaygh.com